World Music Exploration - In the Pines

Well, here we are at the beginning of another exciting year of music making. Summer was busy with a handful of summer students, a couple of gigs and just doing "house stuff" (both inside and out).

My students and I will resume our World Music Exploration with the United States. This week, we are checking out the traditional American folk song called In the Pines

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It dates back to the 1870s and supposedly hails from the Southern Appalachian region. As with many folk songs, the composer is unknown. However, it has been recorded by several prominent musicians, from Lead Belly to Dolly Parton and from Joan Baez to Nirvana.

World Music Exploration - Musica Popular Brasiliera

We wrap up the school year with some MPB: musica popular Brasiliera. This week's artist hails from Salvador: Daniela Mercury. Her style is a mix of reggae and traditional Latin grooves.

This clip features a lively salsa groove. Here's Rapunzel from Daniela Mercury's 1997 album: Feijão com Arroz.

 Click on the CD if you'd like to explore more of Daniela Mercury's music:

World Music Exploration - Tico Tico

This week, my students are checking out two versions of Tico-Tico no Fubá. This piece is an example of a Brazilian choro, or lament and was composed by Zequinha de Abreu in  1917.

The first time I heard this piece was at a friend and colleague's birthday party. She delivered a piano recital to guests.

This version of Tico Tico is by Brazilian pianist Vinheteiro:

Some of my students think this four-person, two-guitar version is "cool" while others think it's "creepy":

Want to learn Tico Tico? Check out these versions:

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Tico Tico Two Pianos, Four Hands. Composed by Zequinha Abreu. Peermusic Classical. Classical, Spanish. Softcover. 12 pages. Peermusic #61455-506. Published by Peermusic (HL.228455).

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Tico Tico Composed by Zequinha de Abreu. Edited by Wolfgang Birtel. Arranged by Wolfgang Birtel. Copyright 2015 Schott Music GmbH & Co. KG, Mainz. 6 pages. Published by Schott Music - Digital (S9.Q40330).

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Tico Tico Composed by Zequinha Abreu. Arranged by Louis Drummond. Latin Jazz, Latin. Performance. Published by Louis Drummond (S0.594195).

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Tico Tico By The Andrews Sisters. Arranged by Louis Drummond. Lead Sheet. 4 pages. Published by Louis Drummond (H0.594955-SC001290326).

Arca & Arca Perform Pia no Jac

My students, my brother's students, our family, friends and I are exhausted from a weekend full of recitals. My studio recital took place on Saturday, while my brother's was yesterday. The kids did fairly well and there were many pleased parents and grandparents.

One thing we like to do is to perform at our studio recitals. The purpose is two-fold: to keep our own skills up and secondly, to show our students and their families that yes, we really can play.

This year, we have been exploring the music of Pia no Jac, a Japanese piano/cajon duo. The technical challenges are quite different from what we've encountered when we were taking lessons. 

Here's footage of our latest performance. First off is Crossbeats, which features Jay on piano and myself on the cajon

The second is Habanera based on Bizet's Carmen. This time, I'm on the piano and Jay's playing the cajon:

I wonder how many of my students looked up "Pia no Jac" after the recital.

Want to explore Pia no Jac? Click on the CD below and off you go:

World Music Exploration - Traditional Brazilian Dance

This month, my students and I are exploring the music of Brazil. Traditional Brazilian music music reflects the cultures that existed in the formation of this South American country: Africa, Europe and the indigenous people of the region.

So far, my students have said that this music resembles the music of our First Nations peoples. Others have commented that it sounds rather African: